Charges stayed against Medicine Hat man accused of kidnapping

Dec 13, 2023 | 3:05 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A stay of proceedings has been entered in the case of a Medicine Hat man accused of kidnapping.

Sixty-six year old Lester Landry was arrested and charged with kidnapping following a complaint in January 2023.

Police had received a report from a woman that she had been confined to a vehicle and driven to a secluded area against her will.

She was able to leave the vehicle and called police, who arrested Landry nearby a short time later.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: April 2-5

Apr 02, 2026

What's On

Top five things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in April

Apr 01, 2026

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: March 27-29

Mar 27, 2026

Landry entered a plea of not guilty to the charge and three days was set aside for a trial in Court of Kings Bench.

The Crown entered the stay of proceedings, which means that trial won’t go forward.

The Crown does have one year from the time the stay was entered in November to bring the matter back, but only with approval of the Alberta Attorney General.

Marc Crarer represented Landry and says client has mixed feelings about the stay of proceedings.

Crarer says Landry is relieved for the matter to be resolved, but regrets that he was not able to be vindicated through the trial process.

He adds that Landry’s reputation was destroyed as a result of the charge and subsequent commentary in social media.

—

Tap into all the stories that matter by subscribing to our daily newsletter.

by Brian Konrad

Charges stayed against Medicine Hat man accused of kidnapping

Our Community